CHICAGO, June 3, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TESARO, Inc. (Nasdaq:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, and the European Network of Gynecological Oncological Trial Groups (ENGOT), a network of national and regional clinical trial organizations, today announced a partnership for the Phase 3 clinical development of niraparib, an orally active, potent poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor.
The collaboration between TESARO and ENGOT will facilitate and promote the Phase 3 clinical trial of niraparib in patients with ovarian cancer at leading European cancer centers. Major goals of this partnership include optimizing the scientific and clinical impact of the Phase 3 protocol design, accelerating and streamlining selection of investigators and clinical site management, and expediting patient enrollment and publication of data from this trial.
"As an organization dedicated to gynecological cancer research and treatment, we look forward to partnering with TESARO to accelerate the development of niraparib for patients with ovarian cancer," said Dr. Mansoor Raza Mirza, Medical Director of the Nordic Society of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Trial Unit. "We are pleased to support clinical research initiatives for this innovative and potentially new class of cancer therapeutics."
"We are excited to be working with ENGOT to advance the treatment paradigm for patients with ovarian cancer, where significant unmet medical need still exists," said Dr. Mary Lynne Hedley, President of TESARO. "We look forward to opening this global study to patients in mid-2013 and are pleased to have ENGOT supporting enrollment at key European trial sites."
This double blind, placebo-controlled, international Phase 3 trial of niraparib is planned to enroll 360 patients with high grade serous, platinum sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer. Patients will enroll into one of two independent cohorts based on germline BRCA mutation status. Within each cohort, patients will be randomized 2:1 to receive niraparib or placebo, and will be continuously treated with placebo or 300 milligrams of niraparib until progression. The primary endpoint of this study is progression free survival. Secondary endpoints include patient reported outcomes, chemotherapy free interval length, and overall survival.
About The European Network of Gynecological Oncological Trial Groups (ENGOT)
ENGOT is a pan-European Network of Gynecological Oncological Trial Groups supported by and part of the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO). ESGO is an independent not-for-profit scientific society which was founded as a forum for healthcare professionals dedicated to the care of women with gynecological cancer. The ultimate aim of ESGO is to improve the survival and quality of life of women by contributing to the prevention, treatment and study of gynecological cancer and education professionals worldwide. For more information, please visit www.engot.org and www.esgo.org.
About TESARO
TESARO is an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients by acquiring, developing and commercializing safer and more effective therapeutics. For more information, visit www.tesarobio.com.
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding TESARO, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the initiation of future clinical trials, availability of data from ongoing clinical trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of our drug candidates. TESARO undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the Company in general, see TESARO's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.